Title

Author

Faculty Advisor

Datta, Ravindra

Faculty Advisor

Teixeira, Andrew R

Sponsor

ENVIROWERKS L.L.C.

Abstract

Lack of electrical energy storage is a crucial limitation in the development of renewable energy sources. Common renewables (solar, wind) produce energy intermittently, creating a gap in energy generation and energy demand. Fuel Cells in the water electrolysis mode can be used for chemical energy storage to produce hydrogen which in turn can be utilized in the fuel cell to produce electricity. Methanol is a high energy density fuel which can also be utilized in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), but the performance is poor. Here we utilize methanol instead of water for electrolysis to produce hydrogen for electrical energy storage. Understanding factors that influence the performance of a methanol eletrolyzer is needed to further develop the technology, which is the goal of this work.